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[BUSINESS] · United States · 37 sources

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U.S. gasoline prices hit record August highs amid refinery exemptions

U.S. gasoline prices reached a historic milestone in August, with the national average remaining above $4 per gallon for the entire month for the first time on record. As of August 31, the national average stood at approximately $4.08 per gallon. Experts attribute these elevated costs to high crude oil prices and geopolitical instability in the Strait of Hormuz, particularly following military actions involving Iran.

In response to rising costs, the Trump administration and the EPA have taken several regulatory steps. The EPA has granted 29 small refineries exemptions from 2025 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) obligations, totaling 1.76 billion Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). To mitigate the impact on biofuel producers, the administration has pledged to reallocate these RINs to the 2026-2027 period. The American Soybean Association noted that without full reallocation, soybean farmers could face nearly $1 billion in revenue losses.

Additionally, the EPA has issued a waiver to allow the earlier sale of winter-blend gasoline to increase supply and potentially lower pump prices. President Trump has also scheduled a meeting with major oil refinery executives at the White House to address supply and pricing, following accusations of price gouging within the sector.

Entities

AAA · American Soybean Association · Delek US Holdings, Inc. · Donald Trump · Environmental Protection Agency · U.S. Department of Justice · U.S. Energy Information Administration · United States · Venezuela · White House

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11 days ago